Outlaws fall short against high-flyers
NOTTINGHAM Outlaws fell to a 30-14 home defeat against titlechasing Bentley in the Yorkshire Premier Division.
The Outlaws went into the game with six changes to the squad that ended their long losing streak in the previous game against East Hull.
Roddy Jonas started at fullback, while Brandon Whitaker came in at stand-off to partner Adam Cunliffe in the halves, with Alex Whittle stepping in at number nine.
For once, the Outlaws made a strong start and Coryn Ward latched onto a flat pass from Whittle before the pacy second row scorched over to put the home side in front 6-0 after the Cunliffe conversion.
Bentley hit back and a crossfield kick led to a converted try to tie the game at 6-6.
And two quick tries before the break established a 14-6 half-time lead for the visitors.
Abe Sua, Rory Mcqueen and Stew Readhead were introduced into the Outlaws pack for the second half and they were on top for a while.
However, they failed to add more points as silly penalties and mistakes let Bentley off the hook.
The visitors then stretched their lead to 20-6 but the Outlaws refused to throw in the towel and after some good pressure they swung the ball out wide to winger Kenny Wilson, who dived over in the corner for a great try despite the attention of a number of Bentley defenders, reducingthe deficit to 20-10.
But two late Bentley tries sealed the win for the visitors and the Outlaws now prepare for their final game of the season away against East Hull on September 4.